8. Solid waste

Flashcards about Solid and Hazardous Waste

Solid waste

Unwanted material

Municipal solid waste

All the waste produced from residents of a community, such as paper, food waste, and bottles.

Industrial solid waste

Waste produced by mining and industries, including construction materials.

Hazardous or Toxic waste

Substances that threaten human health, including industrial solvents, car batteries, and ash from incinerators.

Electronic waste (E-waste)

Discarded electronic devices like cell phones, computers, and televisions, containing mixed toxic materials.

Waste management

Focuses on reducing environmental harm by mixing wastes and then burying or burning them.

Waste reduction

Focuses on producing less solid waste and reusing and recycling materials.

Refuse

Don't use it.

Reduce

Use less.

Reuse

Use it over and over.

Recycle

Convert used resources into useful items.

Composting

Natural decomposition to transform organic material into compost, which can be added to soil for plant nutrients.

Mulch

Organic material used to cover the soil, providing nutrients for plants.

Energy Recovery

Heat derived from incinerated refuse, used as a resource; also called waste to energy.

Waste to energy incineration

Burning garbage to create steam used for heating buildings or producing electricity.

Sanitary Landfills

Method to bury wastes in a constructed site, where refuse is compacted and covered with a layer of soil.

Open dump

Areas where garbage is deposited and sometimes burned, common in Less Developed Countries (LDCs).